The role of industry associations in improving OHS performance

Abstract

This article examines the potential role of industry associations in improving OHS performance. Although industry associations sometimes seek to protect their members by adopting a "lowest common denominator approach", this is far from inevitable and some industry sectors have an enlightened self-interest in improving the collective OHS performance of their members. Drawing from the experience of the nuclear power and chemical industries internationally, this article seeks to draw lessons about the potential role that industry associations can play in improving health and safety, and the links between industry association activities and government regulation. The focus of the latter part of the article is on how these lessons might be applied by the Australian mining industry (whose associations have devoted more energy and initiative than most) to enhancing the OHS performance of its members.